Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is an independent traveller’s dream, endowed with the tantalising combination of inexpensive accommodation; easy access, wonderful scenery and an outstanding variety of activities. Nature lovers of all budgets find chimpanzee tracking and birding watching easily achievable. Over 1,450 chimpanzees are protected within the park. With lush rainforest and breath-taking diversity of wildlife, the park is one of the most splendid and stunning forests in Uganda. The highest density and diversity of primates totaling 13 species is found in Kibale Forest National Park (KNP). At least 60 mammal species are registered in the park. Among these include elephants, buffaloes, bushpigs, duikers and bats. The nine diurnal primates present in Kibale Forest include vervet, red-tailed; L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboon, and chimpanzees. The park also accommodates over 330 species of birds, including 4 species recorded nowhere else in Ugandan national parks: Nahan’s Francolin, blue-headed bee-eater, masked Apalis, and Cassin’s Spinetail. Other bird species in the park include Red-winged Francolin, White-naped pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, White-bellied Fly-catcher, Red-chested Flufftail, Uganda woodland Warbler, Chestnut-winged Starling, Tiny Sunbirds, Joyful Greenbul, Petit’s Cuckoo-Shrike, Grey-winged Robin, and Grey-headed Olive-back.
Tourist activities in Kibale Forest
Most exciting tourist activities are available at Kanyanchu River Camp. At this place knowledgeable tour guides are available to share with anyone knowledge on primates, elephants, reptiles, butterflies, amphibians, elephants, chimpanzees and medicinal plants.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
This is an on-going activity that focuses on de-sensitizing chimpanzees to human presence while maintaining their natural behaviour.
During habituation, you happen to see chimps de-nesting (getting-out of the nests) between 5.30 am and 6.30 am. Then you keep following them up to nesting (building nests as they go to sleep) between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. So the visitor commences the habituation activity by 5.30 am from Kanyanchu River Camp.
Primate walk:
Visitors begin this walk from Kanyanchu River Camp as either at 8.00 am or 3.00 pm. This is the most desired walk that takes between 2 - 4 hours. This primate walk exposes you to a diversity of different plant and animal species that exist in this forest. Only 4 groups of 4 persons each, in the morning and a similar group size is allowed in the afternoon.
Long Distance Walk
For visitors who wish to adventure and optimally enjoy the Forest’s wildlife, a 63 km guide walk from either Sebitoli or Kanyanchu and end at either site as you walk for 2 - 6 days through various sanctuaries and community campsites at Nyakarongo, Nyaibanda and Kinoni where you will be entertained with traditional dance and offered local food dishes is quite rewarding.
Forest Hike
This 12 km hike is only carried out during the dry seasons (mid-November to February and June to September). It offers the opportunity to visit the diverse park sanctuaries which include tropical rain forest, grassland, swamp and riverine forest. This walk that usually commences at 8.00 am ending at the elephant wallow around 2.00 pm will expose you to a variety of primates and birds. Before taking this hike remember to take with you packed lunch or snacks.
Accommodation
Kanyanchu River Camp offers an excellent accommodation for visitors who stay in the Sky Tree House overlooking the spectacular elephant wallow. The Sky Tree House has space for only 2 people.
Sebitoli Forest Centre with a maximum capacity of 11 beds (2 doubles, 3 singles and 2 twins) is another alternative place for accommodation.
